IS ONLINE POKER’S POPULARITY DRIVING ILLEGAL POKER CLUBS?

The demand for offline poker appears to show no stopping as the UK Gambling Commission has been moved to target illegal poker clubs across the country in a campaign on tackling unlawful gambling. In the latest round, a number of member’s clubs have been forced to stop providing poker as a result of investigations by local authorities with support from the Gambling Commission.

A recent study found that online poker actually drives interest in offline poker, contradicting the land-based casino industry’s previous opposition to online gaming, and a continuous level in demand by people in the UK to play poker face to face would suggest a similar trend given the lack of a poker playing tradition in the country.

In areas across the country licensing authorities are starting to refuse gaming permits due to concerns that applicants were suspected of intending to run illegal poker clubs.

The message is simple – if you offer poker in a club which falls outside the rules for exempt gaming, or offer commercial poker you are breaking the law

Under the Gambling Act 2005, commercial high-stakes poker is restricted to licensed casinos. Whilst poker can be played in member’s clubs, there are various restrictions depending on whether there is a club gaming permit in place, as well as conditions on participation fees and stake and prize limits. Also, the main purpose of the club cannot be gambling.

You can read here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/contents

For further information about the Gambling Act 2005.

Another way for members of your club to enjoy playing poker is with a digital joker poker machine which now comes with the new club jackpot prize of £400.00 in cash. This machine is proving to be a big hit in social clubs. So play your joker with one of these new £400 poker machines for clubs. Give one of the Comrie team a ring on 02476249070 to find out more about this new machine.